Transcript of the Commentary - Indian Innings

Prem: Jumbo, as they call Kumble, this time on leg and swept away, single to end the over.

Prem: kumble again, and this is better, on off and cpaul defends.

Prem: kumble again, holds one back nd cpaul plays it back down the track.

Prem: Kumble now to chanderpaul but goes too wide of off stump -- when kumble bowls over the wicket tothe left hander, that is what happens, the fliper takes the ball wide of off, he needs to come around. cpaul meanwhile smashes it through cover for four.

hemant () PREM wallace may be weak against spin so do u think giving either kumble or joshi a bowl instead of agarkar with a long-on and deep midwicket is a good idea hemant () PREM wallace may be weak against spin so do u think giving either kumble or joshi a bowl instead of agarkar with a long-on and deep midwicket is a good idea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () I would bring in the slower Ganguly on now; the ball won't come on to the bat and Philo might get out....but we all know Azza.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prabhu (prabhu@lucent.com) Prem, who is your best bet, to win this match for us? Will the slow bowlers be effective? Prem: Slip and silly point, wallace on strike, three quarter length, good thinking, gets wallace on the pad/ Next ball, the three quarter length again, the flipper, perfect prescription, flies off the splice and wide of gully, robin reacting a shade late, that was a catch but he fields it on the bounce and one to the batsman.

Prem: And immediately, Anil Kumble comes on. Trouble is, this is the heck of a gamble, if Wallace can get the fuller length ball, then it is bye bye kumble. He needs to bowl a shade shorter than he normally does, look to the top spinner to cramp him and have the batsman mishitting.

bsampat (arvram@uswest.net) It won't be a bad idea to send robin at no.3 or 4. After a couple of matches he will really set well in that slot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Need to remove this guy Wallace now..wickets the key here -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Inswinging yorker would be ideal for Chanderpaul to go back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Wallace the danger man need to get him! pragav (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) stop the wides and no-balls srinath!& remember that u r playing against W.I and not SRILANKANS Prem: cpaul this time gets one slightly shorter nad rising on off, plays it to short cover, no run.

Prem: Bad ball, outside off, too much room and chanderpaul blazes it through point, four. Heck, I wonder why I did those dossiers, these guys are doing the exact opposite, and getting taken for the max. Ball five, played to point, no run.

Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Prem, you got it dead right this time. I think we need Philo Wallace, Lara and Hooper more than others as they can single heandedly win the game from here. Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Prem, you got it dead right this time. I think we need Philo Wallace, Lara and Hooper more than others as they can single heandedly win the game from here. Prem: srinath, ball four, to chanderpaul, bowling over the wicket though, i would have liked to see him go round. Cpaul across, plays in front, but a no ball, srinath stretching for pace.

Prem: Srinath to Wallace, good line, three quarter length, not lettting him hit through the line, this is what they need to do, wallace tucks to square leg, they scramble a single.

Prem: Srinath now, into the second ball of the third over, to Chanderpaul, good line on off and played to point, they race the single.

Prem: Our dossier on Chanderpaul: Chanderpaul is aces on temperament, and technically, his main problem would be the tendency to shuffle too far across his stumps -- being bowled round his legs enough times to indicate that this is his biggest achilles heel. A right arm bowler going round the wicket, angling in to leg and middle and either straightening with the arm, or coming back in to him a shade, seems a nice line to bowl to him.

Prem: Williams on strike now to Srinath, over number three and he's gone, outside off, three quarter, getting williams driving and the clear edge to the keeper -- precisely what we were talking of here, williams can't drive, that is where to get him.

bsampath (arvram@uswest.net) I think Ajju should take rest and let jaddu take care of sharjah tour. Prem: Another wsing, misses, but four leg byes this time.

Krishna.Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Prem, As suggested by you, why our pace bowlers don't bowl from round the wicket. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pragav (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) 13 in the very first over, wake up guys and something that will make us proud of you! and agarkar stop bowling the wides atleast for god's sake! Prem: Full length -- interesting, agarkar bowling full to wallace and short to williams when it need s to be the other way around -- and wallace powers him through mid on.

Prem: Agarkar, ball four, slip and now a short fine leg in place and again, williams takes it from off and flicks square on the on, one more. agakar a shade on the short side, he needs to get williams driving, not flicking and pulling.

Prem: agarkar, and williams takes it from outside off, cross bat hit but got it in the middle, through midwicket for four but that shot at least shoudn't have agarkar worrying.

Prem: Agarkar again and this one, straightening on middle and leg, hits williams on the leg, a flick to midwicket with no footwork, missing, that one was fractionally missing leg so gets away with it.

Prem: agarkar again, first ball being rebowled, better line, three quarters and just outside off, williams shuffles across and lets it go.

Prem: Williams on strike to agarkar, two slips, and first up, a wide down leg stump.

Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Prem, Thanks for your lightning commentary. Cricinfo is still having luch. Prem: You cannot pitch up to Wallace, srinath here finding the right length -- any shorter, and he will pull you to ribbons. Last ball, pitched up and sure enough, wallace over the top. Not getting much wood on it, but the muscle of the man has the ball rolling over the fence for four to end the over with windies 13/0 in 1.

Prem: This was the right line for Wallace, just short, cutting in late, has him trapped on the pad but that was a no ball, no damage. Srinath now on line after his first ball. Ball five, thhree quarter length on off and wallace can only play it back to cover.

Krishna.Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) If Agarkar bowls like how he did in the previous matches first spells, definitely Lara will show him the boundary lines especially square off the wicket frequently. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anandha (Anandha@jagat.net) When WI played Pakistan the Pak bowlers were erratic in their first spell and allowed WI to get going. If Srinath and Agarkar can just stick to the line India will be on it sway -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Azza does have a lot of choice - Srinath, Agar, Joshi, Kumble, Robin, Jadu, SRT. My bet is on Jadu and SRT. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pragavjain (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) if philo philo's(flews) the ball like the previous match like this one india sure is going back home Prem: Ball four, Srinath in the first over, and again cuts in sharply, williams rushed on the flick, misses, leg bye.

Prem: Williams on strike, Srinath with ball three, cuts in, williams stuck to his crease, rapped high on the thigh, no run.

Prem: Okay, here we go, Srinath the bowler and first ball, overpitched, the loosener and Philo Wallace gets under it and thumps it over long off for six. What a way to start, though. Srinath, ball two. cutting in and played square, single.

Venky () long time no magic from kumble...should he do it today... india might just win today.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pragavjain (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) early wickets for which agarkar is famous for can make the differnce , which will pressurize lara and his team Prem: Guys, play about to resume so I will be back on the commentary gig, hold off the questions, please?! Meanwhile, to take two more quick ones: Venkat:: Philo, just spoke about him in that "dossier", which I think is the way to go with him. PC:: Not really -- Kumble pitches a full length, Philo with his muscle will tend to get under it and send him travelling. I like Kumble for Chanderpaul, for his habit of moving across off, and Hooper, who he can tie up and irritate into mistakes.

Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) I am really surprised why Azhar is not using the service of Calcutta's Prince as he can be very handy especially under such conditions. Sunil Joshi and Agarkar should bowl a more decnet line and length today. Who knows!!! Robin might take some crucial wickets and set up victory for India. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () The danger man seems to be Philo. Prem what do you think our opening bowlers need to adopt as tactics against this burly man - attack with slips or simply tie him up with line lenght and bowling to the field. 242 is defendable but not safe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- murali kamath (mkamath@worldnet.att.net) If we can get one wicket per over in the first 3 overs. we have a sure chance of a win -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) I am sorry my mistake in the last sentence: I hope no other cricketer of Robin's talent is given such an unfair treatment in futre. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pragavjain (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) improvisation on fielding and a a committed aproach will definitely lead azhar's team into the finals Ram () Prem - Sometimes if you watch Azhar's statements, it will be contradicting the idea of think tank like a person playing cricket at this level should not be advised. It should come to them naturally. Today if you noticed, even though we were in a precarious position somebody could've told Dravid to atleast look to rotate the strike. These are trivial things which counts in the final run. Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Indian victory depends on Ganguly, Srinath, Agarkar etc. You know why? They are some of the average (or below average) fielders. It depend how many runs they concede while fielding and how many catches they drop. Let's hope for the best -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pragav jain (pnjain@del3.vsnl.net.in) can tendulkar repeat kochi, is the question and a billion indians are hoping that he will! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Open with Kumbles then maybe? Yorkers and away movers Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) As Williams is very strong on the front foot, both Agarkar and Srinath should force him to play on the back foot. Also, we really miss Prasad here as his slower ones will be deadly for Williams and Lara. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sundar (sund@hotmail.com) The feilding positions is what indians has to change. They should preveny singles even though it may cause occational fours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Not sure how effective Kumble will be on this pitch. Joshi and Tendulkar may well be better bets. chaitanya (c.kuber@rediffmail.com) Prem, hey there. Well what do u think? Can we make it. I think if Agarkar can bowl like he bowled in his second spell against the aussies then we have a chance I mean srinath will bowl well but can agarkar keep it tight?? Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Once again Robin has shown his value. What a foolish thing (and injustice to Robin) the selectors had done earlier by not selecting him when he was in twenties in spite the repeated insistence of Azhar (he always loved to have Robin in because of his ability to bat and bowl in addition to his great "Fielding" ability. I think G.R.Viswanath was the main culprit. Indian cricket is distinctly unlucky not to have Robin's services earlier. Poor chap, was selected for very tough carribean tour and played only for a couple of one dayers and promptly forgotten. What to do; every other member failed (except Manjrekar and Kapil to a least extent). He also failed. He should have been tried at home. I hope no other Indian cricketer of his talent is not given such an unfair treatment in future. Prem: Those are the openers -- the dossiers for the others, as and when they come out to bat. Meanwhile, running off to make a few urgent calls, and will be back when the game is ready to begin.

Prem: PHILO WALLACE is a batsman in the WWF mould. Lots of muscle, lovely clean hit through the line. He doesn't really get to the pitch, just moves his feet halfway there and thumps the ball around mostly on the up, relying on a good eye, timing, and enormous power to produce some spectacular results. Pitch it up to him, or short, and he will murder you with huge drives to the first and fierce pulls to the second. Best lines would be to go round the wicket, pitch a three quarter length, landing middle and off and angling outside off -- if he pulls, he is hitting against the pace and a wide midwicket is in business straightaway, if he drives, again, the ball is slanting away from the shot and a widish cover comes into play, and he is none too good on the cut. The alternate line is to go over the wicket, bowl from wide of the stumps, pitching a very full length, the angle as the bowler goes wide lining the ball in on middle and leg, very close to his pads -- obvious reasons, that line gives him no room at all to swing his arms, and he is either likely to be bowled trying to hit across the line, or caught at cover/mid off driving without enough arm room.

Prem: STUART WILLIAMS is essentially a back foot player with an attacking bent of mind, tending to make a lot of his runs on the cut and the pull. His drives though are mostly played with feet in place, no real movement, tending often to just transfer his weight on the back foot and punch on the up. Good line to bowl to him is very full, in the corridor around off, leaving the bat late -- the fast bowler's leg cutter. Alternately, if you can manage late inswing, things could be interesting, because his back foot style of play makes the lbw an option.

Prem: Play still ten minutes from resumption. Meanwhile, often there is speculation about whether the Indian think tank actually thinks, whether it actually analyses each batsman, plans a strategy to counter his particular strengths. First hand, I don't know the answer to that, both Azhar and Sachin have at times said they do, Madan Lal has said that, so has Gaekwad. But like I said, that is hearsay. Just for fun, though, if such thinking was being done, if dossiers were being prepared for each batsman, what would it be like? What I'll try and do is prepare one, for each player, and post it as he comes in to bat. Starting, here, with the two openers.

Sukand () We need some quick breakthroughs of the key players like lara, hooper and the two openers. Srinath and Agarkar need to keep a tight leash on so that Kumble can do the job in the middle. alok (kumaralok@hotmail.com) Joshi and tendulkar will do the damage and not to forget our Bengal Tiger... Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) As happened in the past, low scores are always difficult to chase. Hope Indians understand that and give more than 100% to achieve the victory. Satish () Prem, 243 is defendable.. we need to bowl and field well...It's upto Joshi and Kumble mainly... Prem: Meanwhile, taking a break here, see you guys back in 45.

Prem: dillon again, last ball, a huge swing, that was aimed over long off but it went flying off the edge to third man, leon king was in position but the ball pitched and spun out of his reach, 4 to end the over and with it, the indian innings coming to an end. Robin has set up an interesting target here for the Windies to chase, we will be bringing that live to you in 45 minutes from now, as play resumes at 5.35 IST.

ssp (ssp99@yahoo.com) Robin , Just Hit a Six.. and won Millions of... ( hearts...) Venkat () Mongia did his job. More than his wicket what india lost was one ball where a few more runs should have come in and brought RRS into strke- sad. Prem: dillon with two left, to srinath who steps away from leg and tries to swing, doesnt connect, no run.

Prem: the partnership between these two, though, has given the Indian bowlers a bit of a lifeline, something to bowl at. srinath the new man in, flicks through midwicket and races two.

Prem: lara's mistake -- his frist today -- proving rather costly -- dillon had four overs, but lara didn't bring him on till the 48th. when he did come on, though, he's proved the only one who could keep some kind of check on proceedings and now, after 3 off the first two, a dot ball with a wicket to the 3rd. three balls left.

Prem: single off the next ball, brings mongia on strike. dillon, and mongia slashes to off and misses, back goes the stumps.

Prem: robin steps away, slogs tto off, ball high up in the air, two fielders go for it and then both make way for the other, and finally the ball drops between them. two

thana (ttthana.tm.net.my) Good show Robin.Congratulations for saving India.Malaysian Cricket fans. Prem: robin on strike to the last ball of hooper, 49th, on leg and a huge heave, thick bottom edge, single. robin retains strike, and he will in all likelihood face dillon.

Prem: two balls left in the over, and one to go after this one. hooper, full toss on middle, played to midwicket, single.

ssp (ssp@yahoo.com) Can any on Remember Hrishkesh Kanitkar , a man of all Occession. Prem: hooper to mongia, outside off, cut away, brings in the sweeper, two more.

Prem: they've got to make the most of this over, with dillon to bowl the last one, you can expect yorkers. bnext ball, lifted to long off, one more.

Prem: ball two, around the wicket, this time hit over the top of mid off and four more, again beats the fielder.

Prem: robin on strike here, run rate of 4.58 here for india and hooper to bowl the penultimate over. robin on drives, very fine, almost the straight drive to the overpitched ball and powering it to the fence there.

Venkat () Can India touch 250 ie., 12 an over from now, I think 250 should look decent. Satish () Distinct chance to make 250 now the way Robin is playing. 2-3 more sixers at least are in store for sure...:) Prem: dillon again, fulkl toss outsdie off, slammed to long off, single to end the over and two left in the innings.

Prem: robin back on strike, dillon, full length on off and robin can only hit it back to the bowler, good line and length there, no run. one ball left in the 48th. be interesting to see who comes on to bowl next.

Jim Morrison () There u go PREM.. RR Singh doing it when needed Prem: dillon now to mongia, on leg, the batsman makes room and drives to mid on, one more.

arvind () Time to bring in Srinath. Please don't bring Joshi, Agarkar ahead of him. Prem: robin now on strike, dillon and the firece cut gets one to third man.

Prem: mongia on strike, dillon, down the leg side and a leg bye off the missed flick brings robin back on strike.

Prem: Mongia on strike with dillon brought back, the chip over extra cover, mongia's pet shot, gets two more.

Prem: 54/53 thus far for robin, 14 in the over so far and lewis again and again, robin swings it round, this time, four, one bounce.

Prem: and this time, no short arm jab ab out it -- he just came down the track, heaved it with all his power behind it, huge swing of the bat and that is the biggest six of the tournament thus far, bang into the top tiers over long on.

Prem: lewis again, robin cuts, but short third man in place.

Prem: and there is the classic robin singh short arm jab -- no back lift, no nothing to explain the power there, but the ball soars from outside off, voer long on, for six.

Prem: Lewis continues, bowls to robin who cuts, finds point, no run. next ball, the big heave ho, over long on, great stop on the line by the fielder, williams, who kept his eye on the ball and pushed it back just as it was going over.

Prem: one ball left, and robin takes it on the full, on drives, one more. 4 overs left, and just four runs in this over so hooper proving as sticky a customer as he normally is.

Prem: mongia this time swings him around through midwicket, one more.

Prem: robin on strike, hooper round the wicket, the cut and miss. next ball, robin walks to off and hooper keeps it there, cramping him, no run again. ball four, the off drive fetches a single but only two in the over so far which is very good from hooper.

Pratik (pratique@ccmb.ap.nic.in) Oops!saurav's wicket seems to have taken the shine off!My estimate of 250+ looks out of reach now!Anyway SRIRAM, that's the way to think. . .POSITIVELY!I support your Tendulkar prediction, unconditionally! bhaskar () Robin should do Ajay in BGLR for us today. We would three overs like that. and decent RUN overs for the rest.. Prem: Hooper back into the attack now, Lara staying with his slower bowlers though Dillon has 4 left of his quota. mongia hits to midwicket, has no clue where that one was going, ball drifts out on the off side, robin calls and makes the run though the keeper could have had him with the direct hit.

Prem: arthurton not being accorded the respect he was given by pakistan, but the fall of wickets means they cant really go after him. 7 came in the over, and that leaves five overs in the innings.

Prem: arthurton, outside off and mongia thumps it in the air but finds the fielder deep at mid off, single as it goes to him on the bounce.

Prem: suria:: will keep all that for the report, pal, have enough to do following the action here. mongia off his hips, to midwicket, this time it is robin who runs the first very quickly and back to the danger end for the second.

Prem: arthurton to mongia, short ball, slammed through covers and finds the sweeper, two more.

Prem: 4.18 the run rate, and arhturton brought back, after ganguly's assault he had been taken off. robin blocks, and runs the single before midwicket gets there.

suria (snarayan@cyberway.com.sg) Hi Prem, What is the reason for this predicament? Batsmen to blame or the good bowling or the pitch Shriram () The west indies has buckled under pressure a lot in the recent past. SO we do not need to worry. We have done well under pressure atleast this year. A dream performance is needed these last few pvers. Ou bowlers have to rescue us this time?? 5 wicket haul for SRT, any takers?? Prem: next ball, robin stays back and cuts, finds backward piont, one more to end the over.

Prem: next ball, pushed to point , king the fielder but slips a bit as he tries to throw on the pick up, two for it. Next ball, again, robin down the track, gets under the ball and lifts, over wide long on and that's a brutal six.

Prem: I keep seeing, even now, this Dravid number. so, just for interest, a little stat -- in the last nine overs, India made 34 runs and lost 2 wickets. Which I guess is what we were needing. Meanwhile, Robin this time gets under the ball from Lewis, coming down the track, swings it over midwicket and four more.

Prem: mongia again, hitting on the up, one to mid off to end the over.

(bhaskar@4genesis.com) What's happenning to the LOGIC of taking singles...????? This is irritating batting by all these, why blame Dravid, I think, without him we could have closed the shop by now.. Prem: 3.91 the scoring rate now, simmons to mongia who wafts one from off to long on, two before the fielder there can run around and field.

Prem: simmons, to robin, outsdie off and guided to third man, just the one. 7 overs after this one, still to go.

Prem: Simmons continues, robin on strike, wide down leg, ball three is on leg and played gently by robin through square leg, really pushes the envelope on that second run but still has to dive full length to make his ground.

Prem: next ball, mongia trying to hit over midwciket and again, cramped for room, defends. ball five, played to point, no run. lewis, last ball of tthe 42nd, turns in from outside off, finds point off the edge, no run.

Prem: lewis continues, robin sweeps, the cover is in place and one more. Suria:: From here? 40:60 against, the onus now is on the bowlers in the first 15. Mongia down the track, lewis drops it short, mongia forced to defend.

Prem: two balls lieft in the 41st and mongia almost does a jadeja, pushing to cover and racing down the track, robin sends him back just before the fielder gets there. last ball, the cut and the miss to end the over, 9 left in the innings.

Prem: Into the slog overs here, 3.9 the score and this one, mongia gets a juicy half volley, is onto the front foot in a flash, blasting simmons over extra cover for four.

Jim Morrison () There is no reason to panic. 200 + will be defendable here. Just wait and watch. RR Singh will boost total and the bowlers and fielders will win the match for India. No need to panic and worry. Wait and watch the Windies return back to their pathetic worst.. ha ha ha. it is a sin.. Venky () Prem, i don't think you are going to defend dravid today..personally, don't you think if dravid has scored 20 more runs (in the same no. of balls he faced)things would have been better for India Prem: Venky:: of course I do. Just as I think things would have been different if the other batsmen, with ganguly the exception, had batted well, too. When the commentary transcripts go out, check it out -- you guys have spent 40 overs talking of just one batsman. Very interesting.

Prem: again, outside off turning in, mongia calls and races the single to the ball pushed straight at cover. 2 in the over thus far plus the wide that got the wicket, and mongia on strike now to lewis, chips over the infield on the off, gets two to the sweeper.

Prem: ball three, on off turningin and robin pushes to point, no run.

Prem: 40th over in progress, lewis wide of off, mongia cuts and one more. Prabhu, the problem for robin would be he cant take any risks now, since there is no recognised batsman left to come.

Prem: mongia the new man, beaten first up as he tries to push a leg break to third man.

Prem: PC:: but what else, pal? all dravid's fault, wasn't it? :-)

Prem: 11 more overs to go. and to post a challenging total from herre is going to take some really classy big-hitting -- question being, from who? There goes ganguly, that ball is wide -- in fct, it is called wide -- from lewis, ganguly was moving to leg and out of his crease, lewis bowled that wide ofthe crease, ganguly couldn't reach the ball and was stumped. YYou need to remember here that it is possible to be stumped off the wide -- a rule lewis gets the advantage of, here.

Prem: simmons now to robin, forward, dfending. one ball left in the over. robin pushes to midwicket, the fielder there is very quick, no run.

Prem: 12 overs still to go, annd at least seven more of those will need to be played by these two. simmons continuing, ganguly on strike and defensive to the first ball. down the track to the second looking to clear long on, but that one landed in front of him, not quite geting to the pitch, finds mid on. ball three, the off drive finds the single.

Prem: next ball, good one, angled away from the left hander and then curling back in from outside off, forces the defense. lewis again, this one wide of off and again, the sweep, one to the fielder to end the 38th over.

Prem: ganguly now down the track, lewis pushes it wide, ganguly swings, cross bat, from outside off to mid on, single. next ball, short, cut through point, the fielder there is deep and wide, so the two was on and robin really ran the first one very fast.

arvind () I remember 1987 Reliance World cup. Pak and Ind were favorite for the final. First Pak lost to Aus in semi and next day India lost to Eng. Yesterday SL has lost to SA and today...?Anybody else think so? Prem: Lewis again, to rogbin who is across the stumps, sweeping, a fielder placed there for the shot so just the single. lara's field placing has been impressive throughout, he's kept the fielder in the right place for each batsman.

(bhaskar@4genesis.com) Prem, I think this new commentary style is pretty cool. I have a suggestion, I think the width of the commentary window should be little bit wider, we have to scroll horizontally for each line in the commentary.. which is very inconvenient, particularly for viewers like me, who are spending sleepless hours..( I am watching this from 2AM MST, in US) And we can not increase the size of the window (by design, I guess) Prem: robin now driving, finds long off, single is on as the fielder is deep there and ganguly back on strike. simmons, last ball of the over, ganguly finds cover, no run.

Prem: ganguly driving, but finds the fielder this time on the off side. ball four, ganguly batting 80, waits for it, and with the turn guides to third man, one more.

Prem: ganguly on strike now, and starts the 37th over with a single to a slight misfield at cover, simmons the bowler. simmons now to robin, on middle, turned to backward square, single.

Prem: Lewis now to gabnguly who is down the track, double bluff there as lewis thought he would go to leg, hit over mid off, finds one to the fielder in the deep to end the over.

Prem: ganguly on strike to lewis, batting 77, lewis bowls outside off, ganguly was stepping to leg, the ball going away from him, he throws his bat at it, gets one. robin this time pats it down at his feet, good running, one more.

Prem: Himanshu:: Ideally, 250 or over. This of course hardly qualifies as an ideal situation though -- and wont, unless these two take it through to around 45, and then let the tail come in and swing the bat around. Dillon has four left, but King is bowled out, so Lara left with only spin towards the end. Lewis continues, bwoling to robin, two men out on the boundary on the on side and robin sweeps,m finds the squarer boundary rider, gets one.

Prem: And that is drinks, folks, taking a quick breather here. be right back.

Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) 16 Overs remainig with 6 wkts. Probably 135+100; a total of 235 should be WI target! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () Though Robin is a good hitter, his consistency is always in doubt Dev () Guys keep hope, remember VS WEst Indies in 1983 final? India scored 183 in 60 and still won so NEVER SAY NEVER :-) Prem: 35th over coming up and simmons continues, ganguly drives, finds the single to mid off, and brings robin on strike. simmons, outsdie off and robin cuts at it and misses. loves that shot, trying to run it down to third man, safe here because lara doesn't have someone there to block it. ball three, robin pushes, finds point, ball four is pushed back to the bowler, simmons bowling within himself here. last ball of the over, on off, played to cover, hooper, one for it, to end the over, just two so this is a nice comeback spell by simmons here.

Prem: lewis to robin, short and suddenly jumping on the batsman, no run as he pushes inf ront of him. To Satish:: not really, except maybe that it is fractionallly faster than some of the earlier ones, most likely due to the rains we've had yyesterday.

Prem: this time, robin manages to sweep, that ball was slightly shorter in length, made the shot possible, robin hitting against the turn and beats the sweeper, four for it.

Prem: lewis to robin, who goes on his knee and sweeps, the turn of the ball away from the shot defeats it, no run.

Prem: ganguly this time off drives, one more, india 131/4 in 33.3

bhaskar (bhaskar@4genesis.com) I am hoping these two would REPEAT the performance against Pak during the Indi cup chasing 300+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () Jadeja's Runout may become costly for India. Indians shud not be excited like that -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () lara has lot of options he can fall back on simmons but if we can hit out lewis then he will have big problems Prem: 130/4 now and off the next 17, they need at least another 100, and that is a modest target to set anyway. lewis continues, ganguly flicks to midwicket, misfield, but neither batsman running for it.

Prem: tidy comeback by simmons heree, arthurton taken off after the ganguly blitz, simmons keeping robin quiet on lien of just outside off but a wide here, so the last ball has to be rebowled. it is, on off, played to point, no run. end of the over, 17 more in the innings.

bhaskar (bhaskar@4genesis.com) Just when things started moving in our way.. Now the pressure on Arthurton is GONE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () India better doesn't loose any more wickets in next 9 overs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Morrison () ALRIGHTY THEN. RR SINGH IS THE MAN NOW. HE WILL DO THE JOB TODAY. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () thats a cruel blow, just when things are beginning to blossom it will put added pressure on ganguly to hold up his end as well as score singh should just put his head down and rotate the strike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajesh (rajesh@ais.apexinc.com) Pramod, I should say you lack common sense. One single inning(s) cannot decide the fate of a class batsman. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () With two sixes now, Ganguly is all set for Today's Man of the match. Prem: outside off and robin this ttime defends.

Prem: outside off this time, robin trying to guide to third man, misses.

Prem: robin on strike now and 3.94 th run rate, simmons brought back, robin gets one to point, overthrow gets him one more.

Prem: End of the over, with umpire Orchard having to talk to Ganguly about his habit of running down the pitch, on the playing surface. for these two, the job is to play out at least another 15 overs from here, 127/4 in 32.

Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Now might be a time 2 remember Dravid? 31 overs and four wickets! With just one vulnerable batsman in the form of Robin remaninig... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pratik (pratique@ccmb.ap.nic.in) I guess ganguly is playing the role of Sachin Tendulkar today.I hope he follows up with his bowling too! Prem: lewis to ganguly, on leg, turning away and robin finds square leg, no run. ball five, lewis, and ganguly tucks it round, no run.

Prem: Lewis to robin, outside off curling in with the spin, robin defends.

Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) And now...Arthurton getting "SIXED" who will Lara look for his vulnerable 5th bowler??? Prem: Robin singh the new man in, into the 32nd over here, so now he has to bat through, cant afford to go hitting. lewis the bowler, and a wide down leg. 128/4 in 31.1 and another very quick single taken.

Prem: Guys, the scoreboard has been static for a while because of server overload but we are kickstarting it again, in just a minute.

Prem: that was a very very bad misjudgement by the batsman, he was trying to play with soft hands but lara was running in as the batsman played the shot, got to the ball in time to beat jadeja, who was far too down before the rethink to have a prayer of making his ground.

Prem: 125/3 in 31 and jadeja, next ball, pushes to short cover, takes off, that was a very bad attempt to run, there was no run there, the fielder at short cover very quickly in, that is lara and the direct hit has jadeja out, two feet short of his crease.

hemant () its sad that we have run out of ideas we shouold have sent either of agarkar,srinath,joshi as the pinch hitter remember pat symcox was a success only after some single digit scores what do u say PREM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Girish () India will score 240+ and win!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () India looks all set to score 155 in 40 overs and 225 runs in 50. Everybody knows what happens after that - barring a miracle from Kumble or Tendu. These are the oly 2 match winning bowlers we have. Prem: hemant and the others, guys, could we go easy on the questions, please? Meanwhile, ganguly back down the track, gets down the track and a clean, striaght hit, back over the bowler's head and six more, this is interesting, gnaguly going after arthurton will put lara under some pressure here. equally interesting, the batmsan hitting straight and not square, as the pak batsmen repeatedly tried to do.

Prem: jadeja drives through cover, single. 119/3.

Prem: sorry, guys, had a phone call to take and meanwhile, ganguly down the track, gets nicely under one from arthurton and lifts clean and high over long on, 6 for that and a single off the next ball, india 118/3.

Pratik (pratique@yahoo.com) This is like good old "pre-opener-Tendulkar days". . .110 for three after 30 overs used to be a common score.We have better sloggers now.Fitter and better runners.What is the final score PREDICTION everybody makes here?My figure is 250.Any takers? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod () Nah Rajesh..just a bit of common sense!! BTW, I'm Bangalorean -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () we should have sent a pinch hitter at the fall of sachin's wicket maybe srinath or agarkar to hit a few blows and swing back the momentum azhar should have not come at 1 drop, with his running between the wickets and placements he would helpthe cause more after the first 15 overs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () MR. PREM, CAN YOU PLEASE STOP THESE COOMNTS BY THE VIEWERS, ITS SPOILING THE ENTIRE COMMENTARY, EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO PUT IN SOMETHING FROM SHASTRI TO DEVEGODA, FOR HEAVENS SAKE LET THERE BE CRICKET AND ONLY CRICKET Prem: that was a desperate single, india going at 3.68, forward, misses on the drive, hit on the pad, 110/3 in 30 India.

Prem: jadeja on strike, goies on the back foot, plays to point, this time ganguly wsa running as the bowler bowled, just went through with the run and managed to get in on time.

Pramod () Prem, How's the pitch playing? Is 225 defendable? Can't see India going much beyond that... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Prem... how come the server isnt crashing so often today? Is it bcos of the reduced interest due to Sachin's dismissal? Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () Pramod >> Don't be so pessimistic (or optimistic). Did not you watch him play in IND-KNY_BD triangular and after that in Sahara cup? What happened? Prem: lewis again, to ganguly, and finds lara on the leg side, the fielder quickly across with the shot. ball three, a gentle cut, finds point, single.

Prem: Lewis, outside off, curling in with the spin and ganguly just pats at it, lets it run down to third man, two for it.

Prem: Hooper off after 8 overs and rawl lewis comes on, simmons went for 24 off 4 and into the 30th over here, lots of readjustment of the field, it is ganguly on strike.

PC () Aurthurton the terror into the attack.. Jaddu should be able to take him on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Girish (girish@webspan.net) Dravid is getting the same treatment as Shatri did in the past Sometimes hailed as a great anchorman, and sometimes effigies burned for slow play. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajesh (rajesh@ais.apexinc.com) Pramod, it looks that u r ADVISOR of the Indian Cricket Selection Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () India seems to be heading for a target of 240-250 at this stage.... these guys have to have a go at Arthurton.. shd not let him settle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sunny (asifs@rocketmail.com) time to give Khurasia break in place of Dravid. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) prem!!!What would have been the outcome you feel if India had fielded first.!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patel (PATEL@YAHOO.COM) EVEN DEVGODDA CANNOT SAVE RAHUL NOW... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Probably they are holding Arthurton for the end... It might backfire on WI if doesn't deliver! Then Lara will have more problems with a not so reliable Simmons as the 5th bowler! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dev () Azza should never come 1st down and spoil the momentum. Dravid should be first, followed by Jadega, RR singh and then Azza. Hope he can survive it till the Next World Cup ~l~ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () prem is the bowling so tidy that even singles are so difficult to come by for dravid or is he being too cautious -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod () If India lose this match, rest assured that Dravid has played his last onedayer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () All in all a poor performance by Dravid. He let the bowlers dominate him, did'nt give ganguly enough of the strike, and failed to strike a few blows towards the end of his innings. Only plus point was 60 odd run partnership. India either needs to send in Dravid at one drop, or get rid of him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () Hey well done. Now with Jadeja nad Ganguly we shud expect a better run rate than -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- amit (amit@csfb.com) Hi guys joining the action late India in hot soup whenever Sachin fails -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prem: ball three, on middle and off, jadeja on drives, finds the fielder, no run. ball four, on middle, played to midwicket, no run. ball five, arthurton straight into line here, jadeja off the back foot, cross bat hit to long on, single. 105/3.

Prem: arthurton now to jadeja, into the 29th over here, ball two, on leg and jadeja finds midwicket with the push. no run.

Dev () Azza should never come 1st down and spoil the momentum. Dravid should be first, followed by Jadega, RR singh and then Azza. Hope he can survive it till the Next World Cup ~l~ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () prem is the bowling so tidy that even singles are so difficult to come by for dravid or is he being too cautious Prem: and here we go, arthurton coming on to replace the erratic simmons, gnaguly off the first ball plays through midwicket, single.

Prem: Last ball, on middle, turned to midwicket, just two in the over and India 103/3

Prem: Hooper, to jadeja, on off and played defensively, 103/3 India in 27.5.

Pramod () If India lose this match, rest assured that Dravid has played his last onedayer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () All in all a poor performance by Dravid. He let the bowlers dominate him, did'nt give ganguly enough of the strike, and failed to strike a few blows towards the end of his innings. Only plus point was 60 odd run partnership. India either needs to send in Dravid at one drop, or get rid of him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () Hey well done. Now with Jadeja nad Ganguly we shud expect a better run rate than Prem: hooper again, ganguly defends, jadeja calls and keeps running, ganguly in all kinds of doubt but finally, jadeja keeps running, the keeper missses with the direct throw and jadeja is safe.

Prem: Hooper being continued, arthurton being held back for later by lara, seemingly. jadeja forward looking to hit over midwicket, that one turned in and beat the shot. ball two, off the back foot through square leg, single.

amit (amit@csfb.com) Hi guys joining the action late India in hot soup whenever Sachin fails -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () When Jadeja is in form, he is unstoppable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SURAJ (suvp@hotmail.com) Thank goodness Dravid's gone. This is one time I thought he needed a rest!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dev () Now thats an entry .. GO Jadega :-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) How come Arturton is not yet introduced??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike () "Great" innings from Dravid... 19 from 54 runs... Keep it up.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () This, unfortunately, is the problem with Dravid. He can play a relatively slow inning, as long as he atleast holds one end up till the 35th over or something. Whats the point if he consumes an outrageous number of dot balls and then gets out in such a sticky part of the inning??? Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Now, this is what India didn't want. Dravid after settling in goes when the team looked for acceleration. Prem: Jadeja cuts, this one outside off, finds the sweeper, one more.

Prem: Jadeja drives, finds cover. Next ball, wide down leg from simmons who has been straying rather badly the last couple of overs.

Prem: simmons to jadeja, played through midwcicket, pushing the second run there and just beating philo wallace's throw in from midwicket.

Pratik (pratique@ccmb.ap.nic.in) This could be a good recovery, Prem.I mean with Robin Singh,Jadeja and Agarkar yet to come in, that would be a good score.Is the pitch taking a turn Prem?30 overs 110+ looks a good score.135 in 35. . .but after that may be it's all upto Ajay and Robin to take us to 250 mark! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bapu () HALLELUAH!! THERE GOES RD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod () Hallelujah!!! Deliverance from Dravid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dev () Man Dravid what a waste .. should have hit out rather than what he just did :-( -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () I thought its only WI batting which is not up to the mark. But now it seems their bowling too! Why can't they get Dravid out? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Ganguly: 19 ones, 2 twos and 8 fours.... Probably there should be more twos and some twos into threes????? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zia () Its me again! 19(51). Is this a mini test match world cup. Now, dont tell me that he's keeping one side going. I am eagerly waiting for your match report tomorrow; especially your comments on Dravid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zia () Its me again! 19(51). Is this a mini test match world cup. Now, dont tell me that he's keeping one side going. I am eagerly waiting for your match report tomorrow; especially your comments on Dravid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) Prem!!The real problem with Rahul not rotating the strike is that Ganguly on the other side gets frustrated.He then has a additional responsibility of getting the extra runs.The same problem sometimes occurs with Ganguly not rotating the strike to SRT.This makes the batsmen to go for the good balls also.And he may be out!!!So Indians should learn the art of rotating the strike.What's your opinion? Prem: simmons, not at his best in recent overs, bad ball to start with way outsdie off and jadeja cuts one handed, no one behind point, gets the four. next ball, leaning forward, works it round to square leg for one.

Prem: That shot coming from the pressure of needing to accelerate at some point, there was a lot of talk between the two batsmen at the end of the previous over, so it would like it was decided that dravid would try and hit out while ganguly hung in there. hooper holding that one back, dravid getting bottom of bat instead of middle and there went number three.

Mukul () Congrats Ganguly!! It is ur day and not Dravid's as my friends here want to convey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () I think Indians are playing for a DRAW today. THey want to save this match. At this rate they will score 149 in 40 overs and tell Mongian and Robin to make 101 runs in last 10 overs. But Gang has hit 2 fours just now. Prem: hooper, and dravid on his knee, sweeping, tryying to clear midwicket, but finds the fielder so india lose another one, 91/3 in 25.3.

Prem: Dravid onto the frtong foot, drives, one more. next ball, ganguly turns it off his pads behind square, one more.

Jim Morrison Attacks () Pathetic moron is Dravid MOFA. What a waste of life. Time for RR Singh to make his enterance and his presence felt in this match. Ideal time coming for him don't u think Prem?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Sachin is one player, whos utility we realise when he bats... and sometimes when he is no more batting too...like now!!! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () prem, are we gettn too cautious at the moment we are scoring at less than 4 an over Prem: Ganguly driving at hooper, finds the fielder on the off twice on the trot. ball three, on leg, flicked away, finds one to midwicket.

Prem: Meanwhile, srinath in the pavilion chatting with windies coach Malcolm marshall. lots of gesturing, looks like line of bowling being discussed. end of the 25th and India 88/2

Prem: bad ball to follow up, simmons pushing it through faster but straying down leg, gnaguly puts his bat to it, lets it run down to fine leg for four more and that's his 50. 87/2 india

Prem: simmons continues, bowling to ganguly who drives, finds the fielder at cover twice on the trot. ball three, ganguly down the track, gets under it, lifts it over midwicket and finds the fence just ahead of the sweeper, four for it.

Prem: Dravid with the paddle, but short fine leg in very quickly, no run. End of 24, 79/2 india

venky (venkat@aditi.com) Dravid, should try step up the pace and take a few more risks and allow ganguly hang around -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod () Hey Madabhushi,Nayak Consolidation is fine but why doesn't he take the singles???? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak () Ok guys enough of comments on Dravid..Let us concentrate on the match Prem: ball four, bowled from wide of the crease and angled in to off and middle, has ganguly cramped, forces the defensive puush. ball five, down the track, the off drive finds the fielder in the deep, one more. just the one in 5 balls thus far, 79/2.

Prem: Hooper on strike, ganguly plays to cover, goes down the track then scrambles back into his ground. next ball, outside off, the cut and miss from ganguly, ball three drive, finds short cover again.

his experienced bowlers at the death -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) In a ideal situation we would like every batsman (from India) to bat like SRT with a strike rate of 100+ and a net score of 50+...But even SRT doesn't do it every other day (like today) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukul () C'mon friends. Getting big score with such a strike rate is not what we need. If dravid can't hit, atleast he shud try to give strike to others. Prem: wide of off this time and ganguly guides it through point, one more. 78/2

Prem: ganguly drives, hooper with a super stop at short cover, no run, 77/2 in 22.5

Prem: Finally, the decision and it is green, simmons to continue, to dravid. 76/2 and the drive finds the bowler on the follow through. 23rd over in progress. this time, stepping to leg, simmons with the yhorker, dravid guides it behind point on the off, gets one. 77/2

Mukul () C'mon friends. Getting big score with such a strike rate is not what we need. If dravid can't hit, atleast he shud try to give strike to others. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Madabhushi (gmadabhushi@pol.net) As I go through the so called expert from the viewers seem to be pissed off with Dravids batting. Ther same people would have hell bent on criticising him if he got out immediately after Azar going for the bowling. His job at that moment was to consolidate when the ball was seeming around. Come on give him a break. I am sure he will be the man for today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () Dravid, keep taking sigles. Don't let pressure mount on Gang. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () Jesus, you guys are out to kill Dravid! Give him a chance! Strategically India's more likely to get a bigger score if he gets 70 odd in 110, rather than 40 in 40! I doubt he's missing any bad balls, guys! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Girish (bvgiri@hotmail.com) The fact that India has Dravid in the playing eleven is not b'cos there is a dearth for batsmen but more due to his utility. If everyone is expected to play like Sachin then we are expecting too much. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () this is the time not to get too much bogged down, 3 - 4 runs an over are not enough now, we need a few bondaries, one of these should take the initiative, i think ganguly since he is playing better today, Prem: Still no decision -- which means the umpire is not sure on the slow mo replay. That would seem to mean the benefit goes to the batsman, but the umpire still to press either button here.

ssp (ssp99@usa.net) Rahul Mankad ,Rahul roy , Rahul gandhi and Now Rahul dravid. can anyone draw a parallel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- girish (disgis@hotmail.com) dravid is to 1999 world cup, as mohinder was for prudential cup. you always need one end held -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) At last lot of guys support and share my views about Dravid!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Rahul is very important fro India. He can avoid a situation like what happened to SL yseterday. Everybody hitting and throwing the bat around...Nobody to stay and fend off difficult deliveries...huh... Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) WI doesn't have much batting depth and once Lara goes off (like Azza?) the they will be under tremendous pressure batting second.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- venky (venkat@aditi.com) i don't what to say scoring 2 run per over to now 3 overs in a row is pathetic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) What's the point in these guys only looking for big hits!!!They still have a long waay to go to win the world cup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim () raul Dravide is a MOFA. pathetic style.. hit out or get out.. played 50 balls and should get run a ball or give others a chance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shisha () it is at this point that azhar is needed! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Maybe dravid ought toi try and hit to fielders, taht way he may miss them? Prem: Simmons to Dravid who tries to lift over midwicket, the bails taken off, third umpire called on, close call here as he pushes his foot right back, but did he get it quick enough? Long wait here, as the third umpire calls for replay after replay.

Prem: and again, ganguly driving nad finding the fielder, to end the over, India 76/2

Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Rahul is very important fro India. He can avoid a situation like what happened to SL yseterday. Everybody hitting and throwing the bat around...Nobody to stay and fend off difficult deliveries...huh... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Srinivas Goud Bodige (sbodige@hotmail.com) Ganguly looks good if he is in for 15 to 20 overs score will be 200 plus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vivek (vivek@hotmail.com) Dravid is probabaly onr of the best bats that we have.... don't disturb the jammy boy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod () Prem, If you interview Dravid in the future, pls convey our outrage at his lack of cricketing sense.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venky (venkat@aditi.com) India should get out of the 2 run per over mode and setup up a bit.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hemant () mukul we need dravid to anchor the innings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () If Dravid was given a run for every time he found the fielder, he would be close to 50 by now!!! Shiva Prem: As to an ideal total, 250+ against this batting with the Indian bowling. But that is a heck of a way away. Hooper, and twice on the trot, ganguly down the track, but coming down too early and hooper checking his pace and beating the batsman with a good line. ball three, pushed to mid on, no run. ball four, ganguly forward, defending.

Prem: 74/2 in 21, India. Hooper to continue.

Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) Well we have to be patient with these two batsmen.They are the ones whom we can depend for a good foundation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) Rahul will be someone like Gurusinghe to SL in the last world cup. He is essential and certainly needed. If SRT, azza goes off like today then he is the only guy who can stay when Robin, Jadejas venture out?! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () Prem what score do you think India needs to get to be in with a chance? arvind () Dravid has started playing well already. He should make big score today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) Come on guys give Dravid a break. He is really doing very fine for India in such a tight situation!!! Prem: Off drive, dravid running with the shot, gets one more, 73/2. Simmons now to Ganguly, and on the off, a point, a cover, and two sweepers. off drive, finds hooper at cover, no run.

Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) The run rate in these middle overs holds the key for India to post a decent target.Here's where taking singles and rotation of strike plays an important role. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vasant (vasantshah@hotmail.com) Dravid should play "Gilli Danda " instead. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vivek (kamath_vivek@hotmail.com) Hi Hemant,you will have to wait till the Indians actually start proceeding. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prashant (pr@hotmail.com) Anybody in St.Louis know if game is being shown in Wash U or elsewhere? Prashant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balaji (bsubra@netscape.net) AJAY:Check out www.cricket.org for RealVideo coverage and see *some* action! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vittal (anant@tidalwave.net) It is not unusual for Indian batsmen to bat the way Dravid is batting. In 80s, all our frontline batsmen batted like that in ODIs. The pace, rules have changed now. Dravid is still in the 80s style. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak () Pramod..Pls bear in mind that India have lost two very impt wickets very early in the game. We cannot afford to lose another wicket. Prem: simmons to dravid, down the track, driving, short midwicket into the action and no run.

Prem: Simmons, the medium pacer, who was brought in for the death in the last game, now being brought on in place of King so Lara likes the pace at one end, spin at the other, combo here. dravid cuts off the back foot, finds chanderpaul.

Prem: ganguly pushing, finds cover twice on the trot, rushingg the push there rather than waiting for it, which is the man problem when playing Hooper. A cut, finds chanderpaul at point, no run, 72/2 in 20.

Mukul () Arvind, If Dravid will b here till 45 overs india will not b able to cross 160. Consider his strike rate, man -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sanchayan () Dravid has scored 15 of 38 balls ..it was 7 of 30 earlier ..so there's an improvement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arun (chatterjearun@hotmail.com) 280+ will be a safe score. Indians have the potential to score that. Do not woory at all ! Prem: Hooper over the wciket to dravid, off the back foot, through midwicket, one more.

Prem: Ravi:: *laughing* with pretty much everyone agreed that he should be dumped from the team since he only seems to impede the procession, why would I want to bother? Hooper around the wicket, to Ganguly, on off turning away, gnaguly drives and beaten. Ball two, gentle push to point, good call from dravid, ganguly sets off and makes the single.

hemant (kdhavala@hotmail.com) hi everybody will any one please breif me about the proceedings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) PREM, how would you describe King's bowling? I, sitting in North America at 4.30AM, haven't seen him in action!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) prem! Do you have any suggestion for Dravid to improve his strike rate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pramod (sa_pramod@hotmail.com) Dravid 15/38 ;-( Is this a test match or what? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Dravid is now rotating the strike well. That's his job. Gangs shd be the one going for the big hits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arv () mukul, darvid had scored 7 on 33balls last time I checked. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bapu () honge kaamyaab, hum honge kamyaab, HHK ek din! Methinks that Philo Wallace is gonna go nuts today too. He holds the key. Prem: What a debut, though, for King. 9.4-2-25-0 thus far, just the stuff Lara would have asked of him. \ganguly off drives, the fielder there is deep, one more. 70/2

Prem: Dravid playing to mid on, wants the one, gnaguly starts off and goes back, all kinds of calls being heard out there on that one and finally, no run. Ball four, flicked behind square, single, India 69/2

arvind () What will be the winning total here. I think India can score about 260 runs if Dravid stays till 45 overs and Gang plays with cool. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ssp (ssp99@usa.net) dravid scores 13. Great Oh god! save him -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bhaskar (bhaskar@4genesis.com) satish> I guess it all depends on how RD can rotate the strike.. Prem: King apparently going to bowl his overs through, this is hhis 10th, Dravid pushes to midwicket, very full line on that, finds the fielder.

Prem: Dravid this time playing with the spin, in front of square leg and one more. Last ball of the 18th, gnaguly pushes and finds cover, no run.

Mukul () Can I know how may balls Dravid has played till now? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Girish (disgis@hotmail.com) azhar for godsake get out of the team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- satya (purushartha@hotmail.com) a rather pessimistic view on Rahul's effort, is primarily because in face of Sachin's flamboyance every body seems to be a bit jaded. whether it be a snail paced century in times of needed without testosterone pumping all over is preferred over a rather kamikaze innings is preferred is worth thinking about. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suraj (suvp@hotmail.com) I think Dravid gets more flak than he should. Agreed, he's slower than Tendu or ganguly, but he plays the role of anchor very well. No use him trying to take quick singles and risk a run out with 2 wkts down. Even Ganguly wouldn't want to see the back of Dravid just now. Prem: Hooper to Ganguly nice ball, on off and angling in and the batsman pushes back. ball three, hooper, again on off, this one the open bat face pushing towards long off, single.

Prem: A huge job ahead for the two out in the middle, ideally now needing to bat through at least to the 30th over mark so that Jadeja and Robin in particular can come in with slightly less prssure on them. Play about to resume after the break, Hooper to Dravid, leaning forward and flicking square on the on, one more.

Gregory (xcom.tkugrfe@mesmtpse.ericsson.se) Hey Guys whats the score is it 60/3 or 60/2 (Gregory) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () What these guys need to do is to rotate the strike and keep milking the attack, try to take the socre around the 100 mark by the 23rd over or so, and then accelerate from there. The Windies attack is not all that potent and we still have good batsmen left. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shahnsha (shahnsha@usa.net) Testing...................... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arun (chatterjearun@hotmail.com) Well done Prem! carry on. Ultimately we will WIN ! Prem: And with that, folks, drinks on the field so taking a break here. By the way, Ravi, caught that question on my way out, this is King's debut, he is in for McLean, and a very impressive start too. Okay, gone, back in two.

Prem: Mark:: yes they are but thery aren't flashing the results. Judging by eye alone, I would put them between the 132-135 mark.

sachin (sachin@pacbell.net) Can we talk about things other than Azhar and Dravid ? Or even better, let Prem do the talking........... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () Prem are they using speed meters here? How fast are these WI quicks bowling: 130, 140? Prem: King, and dravid across to the off, drives, finds hooper at short cover.

Prem: Ganguly opening the bat face this time, running one through point, gets one, 60/3 in 16.3 the score, King again, to dravid and he goes across the stumps, glances this very fine, finds the gap down at fine leg, and four to dravid.

Rohit () amit@wipro. please work .Its office time!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) lara had gone on record before this tournament that hooper was their key player...your comments, prem... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- amit (amit@wipro.co.in) saurav and dravid think that this is a test match so they can precitse for the coming Sharjah cup. pakistan nahi to aapne ko prblm nahi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken () Prem, what do you say about the past 2 overs to Dravid?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Shd be King's last over.. has been a great spell from him... Dravid, come on man, this is Ur chance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bhaskar (bhaskar@4genesis.com) Prem, I think Rd is too good to be tucked up like that.. Is it the pressure, that he is not a OD player.. is he another Sanjay in making..?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suraj (suvp@hotmail.com) Hiya Prem. Subhash> I agree with you. Besides, Holding, like Gavaskar sometimes, likes to rub it in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () We all love Maidens - this guy Dravid seems to be deeply in love with maiden overs! Prem: Ooops, King continues, Dravid on drives and ganguly way down the track backing up, that throw thudded into the stumps and if they had gone for the single, there was a run out there for sure. Next ball, palyed down at his feet, and this time the run is on and taken. 59/2.

Prem: Both batsmen looking for the single through the mid on region, 54/2 and off the last ball, ganguly cuts, through the gap at coer, a bit of football from the boundary rider, silly work really when he could have comfortably fielded it, ends up letting the four through to end the over.

satya (purushartha@hotmail.com) bombarding azhar and co., if we lose today, crowning them tomorrow if we win unfortunately is a symbol of the disease that plagues indian cricketing and political system. lack of conviction in ourselves in face of temporary setbacks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) Prem, can you describe the bowling action of King? Whom does he resemble? I, sitting here in North America, at 4AM, haven't got a chance to see him in action. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () the 15th over of the innings a maiden??? Wait... Who was it bowled to?? Dravid?? Oh..ofcourse!! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () A century for Dravid today? That would be great. He will answer all the critics and supporters at once. His only century was about 2 years back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken () Another maiden to Dravid, I presume!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Dravid being refrerred to as Dot-ravid.. wonder why? something to do with his run rate perhaps Prem: gopi, wouldn't go comparing these guys with those bowlers just yet, these are just starting out. \dravid flicks, gets one behind square. 52/2.

Prem: Hooper in again, going around the wicket to the left hander and Lara has his fielders riding the boundaries, up close, one square on either side of the wicket and a cover on the edge of the cirlce. \ganguly punches through cover off the back foot, one more.

gopi (gopi@ibm.net) prem: how do these guys compare to roberts/holding/holder/marshall etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bapu () Totally agree with Nayak - AZZ is past his prime. He never was a good captain - only a lucky one! If they had made Lele the captain with Sachin in the team, I am sure he too would have a good record as captain! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) Ganguly finds the ropes again..... go india!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Dravid needs to rotate the strike a bit more.. shd try to give as much of tyhe strike as possible to Gangs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () How is Gayakwad? What is his role and impact? When he used to play he didn't give any indication of winning attitude, technique or drive. Has he developed all those qualities. Or he is --well just another Indian manager. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- amit (amit@wipro.co.in) Windies sure to win this one. time for Azza and boys to pack up -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shisha () there's no need to panic. all these two have to do is stay there atleast till 35th over -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () Ha, Ha, Ha!! Great story Prem! Prem: Short ball, outside off, Dravid punching off the back foot, finds lara at cover. Interesting field placing this, a short cover to hustle the batsman and a regular cover, slightly wider, to block anything that goes past him. King very, very impressive, nice pace off a typically Caribbean action, relaxed, high arm, easy, and tight line. Ends another maiden. End of 15, India 50/2.

Bapu () What are the chances that the next wicket will be a run out? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Slowest 50 in the tournament ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Well Prem>> I wish to take an exception here. I saw that match in India and though Boycott was out in one over, that doesn't mean that he can't play fast bowling. Even Gavaskar got out on Zero n number of times to Marshall, but that doesn't mean that he can't preach. And I'm sure that Boycott says that in tests only. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rvdev (()) hey u guys , talkin about loosin ?, we are still in the 12th over maan, hold on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bhaskar (bhaskar@4genesis.com) Prem, What's wrong with Dravid, is he not good enough to take a single and give the strike to SG ? I am a big fan of RD, he is disappointing lots of his fans.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) Boycott says that Kambli is a better player than Dravid in OIs. I beg to differ. Who is Kambli! If you know where his leg stump is, you are on top....because he does not know! Prem: Dravid on strike, King continues, Dillon taken off after that bad over, but King still looks fresh and strong, bowls a very full, almost yorker, line on off and Dravid pushes abck to the bowler. Ball two, across to off, playing to mid on, fielder there very close, no run possible.

Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) Why cant we have a captain who can really think in the real interest of the country and do some changes during the match which really changes the course of the match in team's favour rather than other way round or wait for things to happen!! Any body agree on this???? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vikram () Could Dravid get a move on or at least let Ganguly get a move on...:):) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Morrison () Ha ha ha. Azhar excelled in the 1992 world cup in Australia and Nz playing at one drop. No other pitches are more faster and bouncy and swinging. So please.. he played abd twice sure.. but he is the MAN. Just anothr bad day at the office. later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- balaji (balaji@crhc.uiuc.edu) rahul dravid has 6 and not 9 as shown in the score here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken () Dravid should've the sense to take singles and give the strike to Ganguly Prem: Outside off, bad line, loose delivery in fact and Ganguly gleefully onto the back foot, lets it come and cuts behind point, four more. 50/2 at the end of the over.

Prem: Dravid on strike, Hooper with two left in the over, a shortish point and short cover the close catchers now. off the back foot, punched to long on, one more, 46/2.

Prem: Hooper again, this one is driven to long off, the fielder there out on the line, single. 45/2 in 13.4.

Prem: ganguly on striek here, a slip and short cover in place, ganguly goes down the wicket, finds himself beaten in length and angle, pushes deffensively. ball three, on off and played defensively.

Prem: Back to Hooper's bowling, the guy is a whole heap better than he is given credit for. He is very accurate to start with and more than turn, he has a nice drift, sort of like a slow outswing bowler, allied occasionally with a good loop that makes the ball doubly difficult to negotiate. The real danger, though, is that Hooper has immaculate control over his quicker ball, which he bowls as a fastish yorker. Try to hit him out of the attack and you could be in trouble, but you can milk the man for singles till the cows come home.

Prem: CArl Hooper now in. Geoffrey Boycott keeps calling Hooper the lollipop bowler, and laughing at him, but then Boycs never did have to play the guy, did he? Reminds me of the time, India were in the Windies last year and Boycs was in the commentary box and waxing eloquent about the right way to play fast bowling. Suddenly, during a lull in play, the TV crew flashed onscreen images of Holding run in off his full run up, and first ball of the innings, slipping an inswinging yorker through before Boycott had time to bring his bat down even. As the image of the stump cartwheeling was shown in slow motion, we heard the drawling voice of co-commentator Holding asking: "Is that how to play fast bowling, Geoffrey?"

Prem: Jadeja and Robin Singh the batsmen to follow, so these two will really need to settle down.

Prem: Outside off and oops, Dravid cutting and missing, beaten by the extra bounce on that one as King really bent his back there and banged it in. End sthe over.

narendran (boywithnoname@hotmail.com) is the prince of calcutta working on his legside game? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) I guess Ganguly is at last getting his timing right..... good fr India -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () The Prince is opening out!! The windies better watch out.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sridhar (vensridar@hotmail.com) Regarding the usability features, prem the site needs some improvement. 1. Use cookies so that no need to type the name and email id everytime, we participate 2. Allow us increase the size of the window, by dragging in both the ways -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deepak (raven@hk.super.net) Hi Prem: is there any chance of rain today? Prem: The on drive, a bit of yes and no stuff, and in the end, they decide against the single. King compensating here with a very nice line, three quarer length on off.

balaji (balaji@crhc.uiuc.edu) ganguly warming up with a couple of fours. i think a bowling change is long overdue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bapu () Would be ironic if None of the sub-cont. teams make it to the finals. BTW new Alanis Morissette song (Thank U India...) is great or what? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Don't read the obituaries as yet, friends.... the game is not yet over..once these guys are set and the slow bowlers are brought on, they will be in a position to accelerate.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- gopi (gopi@ibm.net) srt is to australia as gavaskar was to the windies any other opposition they both were just about ok -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) There is nothing great for WI to pull when India have a stupid caption like Azza and even more stupid BCCI chairman Will any body providethe views of the public to Azza to make him understand that the No3 postion of batting belongs to Dravid and if better sense prevails he will come No4. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) Dravid is a class act. You cannot leave him outside in any format of the game! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ram () Azhar, right from the beginning of his career lacked big match temparament. So it is not a surprise that he left early. It the opponent is NZ or Zim he would have made a match winning effort and would have contributed to his wife. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) hey the rate seems to be going up...... go saurav!!!! :o) ummm.... i guess i must get cricinfo to pay me then! :o) and ballu... i am here... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manish (malkans@yahoo.com) Azhar sucks big time. They are showing the match in Freemont (Naz) but it is all sold out. Prem: Dravid back on strike, King being continued here. Interesting that Lara here is not bringing on his spinners, like he did in the previous match. Dravid tucks to midwicket, this tiem the fielder is finer and closer there, after his earlier shots in that region, again good field adjustment, no run. Ball three, King, and Dravid cover drives, finds short cover, hooper.

Prem: Dillon makes the same mistake again, short but the wrong line, not into ganguly's ribs but nicely on off and not coming up, Ganguly agian into the pull through midwicket, four more and that is the first bad over of the day, taken full advantage of here by the Indians, 3 to Dravid then two fours to Ganguly.

Subhash () Vow, its fun to listen to Tony Greigs voice. The way he gets excited. Sashin Tendulkaar! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YPRAO (yprao@md2.vsnl.net.in) hi!! looks like we are to troubling ourselves -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) hey prem! i'm a great fan of dravid's...only he needs to "make" it appear that he's going for the runs..."that" may end the national obsession... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- baapu () Boycott is only pro-Sachin and pro-Prince of Calcutta!! Can't say I blame him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- balaji (balaji@crhc.uiuc.edu) atlast a classic offdrive from ganguly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bharat () ::Morrison: Its not that everyone is criticizing Azhar but there has to be a sense of responsibiliyt, after all he is leading a national team, he has played most no. of ODI in the game of cricket and still cannot understand the very basics - hence he deserves this criticism. Just because of him the entire team is under pressure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) that was a nice four!!!classic Ganguly all the way to the ropes... Prem: Dillon this time on off and played back down the track, finds the very short mid off, standing about halfway down the pitch on the off side. No run.

Prem: First bad ball of the day, short, no bounce, Ganguly swivels into the pull, gets it through midwicket, four and INdia 40/2 in 11.3. A yorker next up, Ganguly aiming the drive at it and ends up pushing it back to the bowler.

atuls@niitdel.niit.co.in (atuls@niitdel.niit.co.in) Ant takers for a bet that India will win -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ray manzarek () jim morrison, where are you? why don't we meet at the whisky bar? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Morrison>> Are you from NZ? We are not losers ok? We are going to make a mess of the WI's -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- balaji (balaji@crhc.uiuc.edu) i am sure india won't cross 50 within the field restrictions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RanaRansher (ashish@akula.com) Prem, I absolutely agree with you. Azhar's wristy backfoot play could have been devastating against the slow bowling of Binary, Cooper and Lewis. Alas....... Well Ganguly is still around. He too is a miracle maker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi () Another low scoring game in the cards!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atul Sharma (atuls@niitdel.niit.co.in) Any bets on the fact that Inida will be clear winners today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () 28 in 10!! Pathetic!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mav (mav@rediffmail.com) Ppl > Real videao working just fine for me, been watching it ever since the match started. For those who dont know, follow the links for live audio/video from www.cricket.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sridhar (vensridar@hotmail.com) That is good sprit Prem. Really whenever I follow cricket on the web I opens both cricketinfo for scroreboard and rediff for commentry and chat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) ajay, i think boycott is pro-WI. his criticism of lara in times of india was simply meant to pep lara up!!! Prem: The Windies on fire in the field, really working hard out there. Ganguly on strike, now, to Dillon. Slip and short mid off in place, that second fielder to inhibit the slashing drive. gnaguly pushes to cover, no run.

Prem: ranjith:: hey, friend, no skin off my nose, let's leave dravid out of the side by all means. Meanwhile, dillon, on off, dravid leaning in to a ball of fuller length, on drives, through midwicket, shhutting the bat face on that, gets three, great chase again by the fielder stopping it just inside the line.

balaji () naveen r u there??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Hey Prem! Wrong person. Naveen wants to advertise Cricinfo on Rediff! :) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) I think the cricinfo site is functional... i have a connection there.... and hi Bapu... yeah... i think it is almost like the TV viewing in India... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) but prem, ganguly at least compensates for his running with boundaries... Prem: Short on off, and Ganguly plays to cover, finds Lara, no run. Into the 11th over here. 29/2 the score, one ball left. King, continuing. This time, Ganguly stepping to leg to make room, hitting on the up and getting it past cover to the fence, four all the way to end the over.

Prem: Again, short to Ganguly into his ribs and again, ganguly plays to midwicket. Next ball, same line, ganguly hits at it this time, in the air but finds the gap between wide square leg and midwicket, gets two for it.

Oh well.. Mickey Mouse and Daffy duck at the crease... hope we reach 250 in 50 overs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vikram () When will Dravid learn the art of taking singles??????????? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Prem>> Wonder why the obsession to chase didn't afflict Azza today... we need a good partnership from these 2... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Prem... rite now..that comment applies to Ganguly too! But, We all know dont we, that dravid is less prone to rotating the strike? Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) I have a feeling that Boycott has always been pro-India. What say, guys?! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) I have a feeling that Boycott has always been pro-India. What say, guys?! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Morrison () Stop critizing Azhar. Sure he messed up again, but why r losers talking now? Prem: Dillon, and Ganguly mistimes with the cut, hits it hard into the ground. no run.

Prem: King continues, that is outside off, Ganguly drives, Lara dives to stop at cover, that shot was headed for the fence when Lara got there. No run.

Prem: subhash:: Hey, I dont have a problem with cricinfo being mentioned here, why would I? They are doing a great job out there, good for them.

ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) yeah shiva! indians often feel that playing safely is NOT taking runs! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rvdev (rvdev@rocketmail.com) well, I think Azzar again made a mistake coming one down has in early overs ball swings a lott of seam and it is not so good for a player who plays a lott on leg like him.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) Venkat: I am not sure if I should be giving out this info at this site :o) but i guess the realvideo site is at the cricinfo site ... provided by jagged internetworks... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Don't worry guys. 183 is enough for the west indians.! The windies have not played against Kumble in a long time! Well I guess they are going to play for the spin and get bamboozled! Not to forget the yorkers! 6/12 KUMBLE! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- raj () Ravi the real video in Cricinfo hasn't been working for quite sometime Prem: Again, more than a good bit of bounce for Dillon, Dravid guides to point. Dillon appears to have decided to keep it short and lifting on off to Dravid -- I wonder if Dravid has thought of letting a couple of these go by? \that last one would have gone over his shoulder if he had stepped back, that would have made it a no ball.

Prem: Rana:: By way of response, if you are a very good player of spin and nkow you dont play pace as well, then why come out at one drop? Dillon, banging this one in short and lifting, Dravid right up on his toes playing it down dead at his feet. Shiva:: how about Ganguly, or is the national obsession to remain Dravid?

() I hope Dravid realises that a quick fall of 2 wickets is no excuse not to take any singles!!! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RanaRansher (ashish@akula.com) Azhar is not a bad captain at all. He is also a very gifted and classy batsman. He is and extraordinary player of spin bowloing. He cannot play pace. He plays a lot off the back foot and half forward. WHich against spin bowling especially on subcontinental tracks is devastating. The same technique against pace is disastrous. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ajay (svishwan@mtu.edu) The windies seem fired up! Prem: This time, dravid onto the back foot, plays the short lifting ball away to midwicket, quick single. 27/2. Dillon has been highly rated by Holding, while the word from there is that King is one of the coming boys. King the faster of the two, Dillon the one with more variety. King now to Ganguly, last ball of the 9th, again that tight line leg and middle, ganguly finds square leg, no run.

Baapu () Hi Naveen - am watching it on Real Video too. Love the G Boycott voice! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shisha (gshisha@hotmail.com) WI have surely done their homework. both bowlers bowling immaculate line and length. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) The real video in Cricinfo is not working right now.may take some time -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) I don't know when Dillon and King have become front line bowlers??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baapu () Aaaaaaarrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! How long do we have to suffer Azhar - will he NEVER learn? A STUBBORN STUPID MAN!! Prem: King agian, to Dravid, pushes this through faster, just outside off and again, Dravid into line, defending.

Prem: King to Dravid, short and lifting on off, everything in line there as Dravid goes on his toes, plays on the up to cover. finds the fielder.

ram () Tell Indians that they are playing a 50 over game. I think they've pressed the self destruction button too early. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark () India's quite a different team without Tendulkar. They really don't have another top quality, attacking batsman. I'd say without SRT India's one of the bottom 3 teams in 1-day cricket today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- yogesh (yogesh@hotmail.com) we should not give up, atleast i think we have fighting feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Prem pls permit this question - NAVEEN - what's the realvideo URL ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ajay S (svishwan@mtu.edu) azza has always been an lbw candidate! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ravi (rkanda1@tiger.lsu.edu) Always Dravid plays well against fast bowlers.Remember his exploits against SA and WI in their homeground!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mav (mav@rediffmail.com) uh oh, a sense of deja vu here. How many times have we seen Azhar make the same mistake twice in a row?? Not only does he coe in at no 3 but gets out to an identical stroke as the previous match. Ahh well... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUNIL DUTT (sunildata@hotmail.com) srinath could have been sent in place of azhar to do a bit of pinch hitting and who knows he may also end up like kallis yesterday did Prem: Subhash: Never thought him a great captain, so that is not even a subject for responding. Ganguly, still kept very quiet by these two Windies quicks bowling a superb line to him and the perfect three quarter length -- fast bowlers increasingly appear to have worked out where not to bowl to the Indian southpaw. That one though was wide of off, ganguly cuts and Rawl Lewis, always electric in the field, stops a certain four with a brilliant run along the line at point. Just 2, to end the over.

bharat (bkap@hotmail.com) Same old story of Azhar's. I dont know if he is trying to pove something towards the fag of hos career. Hope he'll learn, but when -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) Anyone else watching the match on real video??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Azhar had better start thinking over how he is gonna explain his coming at no 3! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hari (harikn@asu.edu) azhar is putting the whole team into pressure in each match by coming in early and getting out -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ramana (cvekm@nus.edu.sg) Prem: Which pitch is this? I mean, who played on it earlier? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neel (neel@hotmail.com) What happened ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ranjith (ranjith@tamu.edu) This is the second time Lara has got Tendulkar's outside edge with a full pitched delivery. Remember the second innings of the infamous Barbados test? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shisha (gshisha@hotmail.com) azza did it again. . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () There is Azhar. I bet and hope that Azhar is dropped from the side for the world cup. Jadeja is good enough to lead. I've never seen a worse captain in my life! Not even one innovative decision to date which really changed the course of the match. (Forget Sachin's contribution) Azhar is going to be a big flop in England. He cannot play swing bowling, even fast bowling. He only knows the slam bang way of playing. Prem>> I was the one who asked about Lara's captaincy earlier. What about Azhars now? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ajay S (svishwan@mtu.edu) azza has always been an lbw candidate Prem: On off, very intelligent ball that, the slower one, held back, bowled in the region Ganguly loves to drive in, the batsman spots the change of pace at the last moment, pushes to mid off, no run.

Prem: These two now have a recovery job to do, from here on. Dillon to Dravid, on middle stump and again, played through the midwicket region with the shut bat face, single,

Prem: Last ball of the 7th, on off, angling in to gnaguly and played back on the on side, no run.

Ravi (rkanda1@lsu.edu) Is there any hope left for india from now on!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gaurav (gvs) Damn! Two down again!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sridhar (vensridar@hotmail.com) Why Dravid was not sent at No 3. He fits better at No 3 than No 4. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- naveen (naveen@cs.unc.edu) Azzu bhai gone as usual ... lbw... and two wickets down as in the Australia match... Sachin is not there either.... I hope Dravid Saurav and Jadeja click realy good today... or india is done for! I hope I had a lil more bandwidth... The match is almost as good as TV in realvideo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () Aza needed 95 runs to become highest run getter. He has scored 1 run in 2 matches so far. I think now it will be easy for him to let Dravid play at Number 3. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ram () Let's see whether ganguly does a SRT act today Prem: 5th ball of the 7th, King to Gnaguly, on middle, played off his hips to mid on, finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: King, on off and middle, Dravid leans forward, guides it past midwicket, a single. 23/2 in 6.3

Ramana (cvekm@nus.edu.sg) Seems that the indians are in a hurry for something!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ram () Means that it's gonna be a SA vs WI final. Prem: Ganguly, first ball of the 7th, playing to midwicket and they run the single after a bit of yes and no stuff. Dravid now on strike, King the bowler, ball two, outside off and dravid forward, playing to cover.

Rajendra (rsj@cdac.ernet.in) prem do u think it will be difficult to spinners to perform on this kind of pitch? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bhupen (bhupen@hotmail.com) sachin wicket is an excellent example excellent fielding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () Hope Aza survives for atleast 10-15 overs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pashish () Azza is about to complete his 1000th run against the Windies'. Presently he has 998 runs against them in ODIs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Suggestions as to India should win or not??? Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vissu (vissu@wipinfo.soft.net) How many runs for AZhar to break Haynes record??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pashish () 5.2 overs , India 20/1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukund Ramadoss (mramadoss@yahoo.com) Your score card is messed up. Ganguly's score is wrong. Please take care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Well, now the question "what would India do without Sachin ?" will be answered. Let;s see how the rest rise to the challenge. I am looking forward to a big one from Gangs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () It has been a long long time since Lara played a great inning. It will be a great sight if he plays a glorious inning toady. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Azza ready to tear up a 50 in 40 balls wait and watch! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- paashish () Windies are perked up and friends don't be surprised if they pull off something dramatic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hari (harikn@asu.edu) Mr.Shiva i guess u can keep quiet and make any suggestions as to india should win or not. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () So who is listening to Azza's cry of winning this one for the country .... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () any hope left of 100 runs in 15 overs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mav (mav@rediffmail.com) Uh oh. Azhar in again. Why dont they realise dravid is perfect for this situation? I mean if we have a good start then yes maybe Azhar could come in. Not now, the ball is bouncing a bit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Dravid? or Azhar? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Satish, I hope todays day is for Gangs. Looks like Tendlya and Gangs don't want to play together. But I'm kind of happy that Sachin is out cheaply today because we really need Sachin to fire against SA. And here has Azhar showed what an adamant captain he is. Inspite of knowing that Dravid is best at no 3, this guy won't listen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bhupen (bhupen@hotmail.com) india should go slow and study with ave of 5 runs per over. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Now it's time for azhar to come and play his natural game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUNIL (sunildata@hotmail.com) it depends on azhar jadeja ganguly and dravid after tendulkar getting out cheaply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- paashish (paashish@rediff.com) 4.2 overs & 14/1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shibu (shibug@hotmail.com) looks to like the WI bowlers have done their homework pretty well. to me it seems that they are trying to dig it into the batsman's body. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Oh..please let dravid come in Azhar!!! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ssp (ssp99@usa.net) Prem , yestardy we have senn outfield was wet and sticky, Do u think because of that , today , we may not seen as many runs on this wicket as we have seen in previos mathcess.? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUNIL (sunildata@hotmail.com) india has taken right decission to bat first because in case of rain equation might go in its favor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- paashish (paashish@rediffg.com) Too bad our main man is out. seshan () why dont we christen Sachin with the title "Sir"?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak () Here goes Tendia!!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hari (harikn@asu.edu) seems to be a slow start today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prem: And there goes Azhar -- full length ball from Dillon who must have watched the tape of India playing Australia earlier in this tournament, Azhar forward flicking, that full line makes the shot very risky, he misses and is trapped bang in front -- action replay in fact of his previous dismissal.

Prem: Someone was asking, earlier, about how come I had praised Lara's captaincy and Greenidge had rubbished it. Right now, Michael Holding in the box raving about the field setting and the line they are bowling.

Prem: Very disciplined line from the Windies, not one ball thus far in Ganguly's favourite region outside off. Next ball, on middle and leg and turned off the pads, finds square leg, no run to azhar.

Prem: This time, ganguly working it off his hips and placing it wider of the square leg fielder, one more. 21/1 in 5.3.

arvind () It has been a long long time since Lara played a great inning. It will be a great sight if he plays a glorious inning toady. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Azza ready to tear up a 50 in 40 balls wait and watch! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- paashish () Windies are perked up and friends don't be surprised if they pull off something dramatic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hari (harikn@asu.edu) Mr.Shiva i guess u can keep quiet and make any suggestions as to india should win or not. Prem: Slower ball from dillon, on middle and off, and played defen sively by ganguly.

Prem: Azharuddin on strike, Dillon the bowler, 0/9 thus far and bowling with two slips, short on off, azhar guides through the gully region -- the shot sachin was trying when king found his edge -- and gets one.

Prem: 19/1 in 5, not quite the ideal start for a team batting first.

Prem: ganguly off his pads, but finds square leg in place, no run. ball six, short on off, played to cover, no rn.

Prem: king and dillon bowling very well here, thus far, and azharuddin the man at the non striker's end. not sure the idea is good, with this kind of pace and lift and seam movement, azhar is not quite the ideal batsman for that position.

Prem: ssp:: I think this will play increasingly easy, pal. wide, meanwhile, and one more to the total.

paashish (paashish@rediff.com) 4.2 overs & 14/1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shibu (shibug@hotmail.com) looks to like the WI bowlers have done their homework pretty well. to me it seems that they are trying to dig it into the batsman's body. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Oh..please let dravid come in Azhar!!! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ssp (ssp99@usa.net) Prem , yestardy we have senn outfield was wet and sticky, Do u think because of that , today , we may not seen as many runs on this wicket as we have seen in previos mathcess.? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUNIL (sunildata@hotmail.com) india has taken right decission to bat first because in case of rain equation might go in its favor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- paashish (paashish@rediffg.com) Too bad our main man is out. Prem: Yorker length this ttime from King but on the off, ganguly forward, takes it on the halfvolley and on drives, perfectly timed, four.

Prem: Great thinking and field placing, that gully -- almost a third slip -- was the only catcher behind the bat, and placed just for that.

seshan () why dont we christen Sachin with the title "Sir"?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nayak () Here goes Tendia!!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hari (harikn@asu.edu) seems to be a slow start today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Who's playing... Agarkar or Prasad? Shiva Prem: That was the culmination of a very good opening spell by the two Windies, they obviously have done their homework, short and into the ribs for Ganguly, three quarters in the off corridor for Sachin, this time dillon pitched it there but moved it away late, tendulkar shaping for the guide through point, beaten by that movement and the edge taken by a superb catch by hooper.

Prem: dillon again, this one is outside off, sachin shapes to guide, ball flying off the outer edge and Hooper dives at widish gully and pulls off a magnificient one handed catch.

Vissu (vissu@wipinfo.soft.net) I wonder after how many months are we playing with WI??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- satish () Subhash>> We r definitely going to win this one. NO doubts. Why don't U come to the NT lab at the end of EB? Where r u right now?? Prem: Dillon this ttime with a lovely ball, three quarter line, late movement away and goes past the bat of tendulkar as he shapes to defend, these two have bowled superbly tghus far. dillon, ball five, short, sachin picked that as soon as dillon released it and swung into the pull, through midwicket, four.

Prem: short and lifting on middle and again, ganguly with the one handed fend towards gully, in obvious trouble against lifting deliveries into his ribs. single.

Prem: again the line of middle and leg from dillon, sachin on his toes and playing it to square leg, single.

Sanchayan (sanchayand@hotmail.com) PC you watching the match ?? Saw u post about the lift -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ramana (cvekm@nus.edu.sg) Dear Prem! How are u? Hope we will have a nice game this evening. Seems that Azhar changed from inserting mode to batting mode. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- krsihnareddy (chatri@hotmail.com) hello everybody -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Im not sure if this comment is appropriate at this stage... but should India win this game, i guess Azhar must be pretty disappointed that Klusener does not figure in the South African ranks eh guys? Shiva Prem: dillon, and the slower one on leg, sachin tries to flick it around and misses, hit on the pad but that was missing the stumps by quite a bit.

Prem: sreekanth:: no, not really -- I would have preferred India to chase, but I dont think it will make that much of a diff unless these guys really give it away with the bat, like Pak did the other day. Dillon back, and beginning with a wide down legg, looking to keep that off sachin's reach.

Prem: King again, and this time sachin pushes to mid on and again, he is running with the shot, gets one to the fielder.

() Come on Sachin. Don't give us scares!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- venkat () Prem I think you can take all day typing Tenda'a achievement and still find you have not have done justice - that's his class. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash () Hi atish. What do you say about today's match? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sreekanth (sreekanth@yas.com.sg) Prem, Prem where art thou?? Has the match started? Whats your gut feeling on this (I know you've put your money where your heart is in y'day's brief but any second thoughts today? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Batting first may prove to be a mistake, quicks getting good lift Prem: king, to ganguly, on middle and leg, tucked off his ribs towards mid on, single.

Prem: all happening out there, one short called so it is ganguly on strike to king, ball four, on off and played defensively, we are into the 3rd over here.

() Hi Prem! Enjoy your articles. You dont have to reply to this! I know you are busy! Shiva rahul () We need to get around 100 in the first 15 overs and try to set a target of around 300. It all depends on the start. Rahul Prem: And the third umpire calls him in, that was very very tight though, and two more to the batsman

Prem: King again, ball three, on off, punched off the back foot, shhort cover just fails to get a hand to it, tendulkar races the single, rawl lewis throws direct from mid off, they run one more to the richochet, but the third umpire called in.

Prem: King is into the side in place of Nixon McLean, bowls this one from wide of the crease into the off stump, sachin forward, gently pushing to short cover.

() Any surprises in the Indian team announced thus far guys?? Sorry i just came in! Shiva -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- satish () Hi, Prem and the rest>> Nice to see India bat first. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukund Ramadoss (mramadoss@yahoo.com) Prem, King replaces who in WI? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- seshan () go, Sachin Go!!!! Prem: Tendulkar waving some spectators to sit down, and now on strike to King, the new man in the ranks. Outside off, tendulkar goes after it, the extra bounce beats the bat.

Prem: With his first scoring shot today, he has broken the world record for the most number of runs in a calendar year -- the holder of the previous record being, surprise, surprise, Sachin Tendulkar himself. In 1996, Tendulkar eclipsed Saeed Anwar (36 matches, 1595 runs at 51.45, 3 100s and 10 50s) when, in course of just 32 innings, he scored 1611 runs with a highest of 137, an average of 53.70, with 6 100s and 9 50s. This year's achievement has one other noteworthy factor. The list of batsmen who have scored 1200 or more runs in a calendar year is impressive -- Aravinda D'Silva, Viv Richards, Des Haynes, Ijaz Ahmed, Brian Lara, Saurav Ganguly, Saeed Anwar, explosive strokeplayers all. And yet, this year, Sachin has not only outscored them all, but in the process, been the only one in that elite list to get the runs at a strike rate of over 100 -- he had registered 101.2 at the end of his last innings, against Australia.

Prem: There is a monotony, a feeling of ennui, almost, about the way records tumble when Sachin Tendulkar bats, these days. Chalk up another one. Before this innings, Sachin thus far in 1998, had played 28 matches -- this being his 29th -- and scored 1611, with a highest of 142, an astonishing average of 64.44, with seven 100s and an equal number of 50s (a 50+ score every second time he goes out to bat).

Prem: dillon now to gannguly, on off, played back down the track and dillon fields on the follow through.

Prem: A gentle push to cover, a single, and Tendulkar off the mark.

Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) All the best to India. How come Prasad is left out!!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Murthy (vempati@corp.sgi.com) Place your pointer in the commentary frame and click right mouse button and choose open in a new window choice. That will open decent size window. Hope this helps.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subhash (karisubh@egr.msu.edu) Prem, Gordon Greenidge criticized Lara for his captaincy. While you praised him. Whom should we believe? :) And please read "lose" as chase in my previous comment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baapu () Guys - live commentary and video stills are also on the net - Jagged Networks! Prem: nice lift thus far for the quicks, so there is still some underfoot moisture in the track from yesterday. slower ball, sachin forward, defending, bat onto pad and falling in front of him.

Prem: dillon, and this one is short and lifting on off and middle, sachin on his toes playing it down at his feet.

Prem: dillon again this one is outside off, coming in with the seam, a very wide slip in place plus a short cover for the drive on the up, sachin lets this one go through.

Ram (tnram@hotmail.com) It's been a long time since we played WI. Wishing India the very best. Prem: Tendulkar on strike, one slip in place, ball one is on leg, tendulkar works it round, those went off the pad so two leg byes here.

Prem: Very good first over from the rookie, nice pace, good line, and bowling easily here. Merwyn Dillon now to Tendulkar.

Prem: Mark:: from dhaka, I would still be looking at the game on the tv monitor as it is the best way to see the aciton close, so dont you reckon it makes more sense to sit on top of my own server for this? I mean, your tv commentators do it off the tv screen, buddy.

Subhash (karisubh@egr.msu.edu) Hi Prem! Looks like Azhar has changed his mind for once and decided to bat first. And I just have this feeling that he's going more by the recent trends of the second batting side failing to lose rather than anything different. And please change the permissions on the pop out window so that we can resize it. Thanks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shibu (shibug@hotmail.com) couldn't have agreed more with arvind. dravid is truly a class act. he needs to however, learn when to change his gears. i sincerely hope he does not turn out in the manjrekar mould. prem : any chances of u increasing the window size? of course, if it is not a problem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mark (Macdonald@hotmail.com) Prem: The least that rediff should do is have their expert commentator in Dhaka, on site! This, "let me watch the game on TV, and be an expert" is a cookie-cutter approach, don't you think?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baapu (waliana@mail.ssb.rochester.edu) Hope my other predictions are also on the mark Prem: Bang on target with his fourth ball, King, middle and off line, ganguly defends.

Prem: King again on that middle and leg line, very pacy, nice action, ganguly getting tucked up. ball three, lovely ball, angled across the southpaw, lifts off a length and goes through to the keeper.

bharat (bkap@hotmail.com) Prem: Thanks for the nice job you are doing. I want to point out as someone else did, the size of your screen is a little small and we cant resize it, can u get it resized. -Thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () We need a good start. The 2 windies opening bowlers are pretty hot stuff. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Prem - there seenms to be a packed crowd, atleast at www.rediff.com. Guys any commentary on the net. For want of better option, I am tuned to Sarod music from AIR! Prem: Again, and this one has pace and bounce, climbing on leg, ganguly fending it off one handed, ball lobbing in the air but well short of square leg.

Prem: Ganguly taking strike to the first ball of the over. Reon King, right arm fast bowler making his debut, will bowl the first over of the day. Wide ball outside leg, to start with, India 1/0.

Chalapathirao (alcr@mailcity.com) Hello all, Let's wish India success!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baapu (waliana@mail.ssb.rochester.edu) India is batting first Prem: Here they come and here comes the noise -- Tendulkar and Ganguly out there in the middle, accompanied by a tidal wave of noise from the crowd.

Prem: And the news is that India has won the toss, retained the same side as last time, and are batting first.

Prem: Guys, a request, I will not be fielding questions while the match is on, there is too much to do with the commentary so hold it down, okay?

Lavkesh (lavkesh@hotmail.com) hi guys.. so alls et for the big one...heope to ahve a nice match today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baapu (waliana@mail.ssb.rochester.edu) Hi Prem - Baapu from Rochester USA. Bloody cold over here, but managed to drag myself to the office to log on to Rediff. Predictions? Whoever wins the toss bats first. India win by 50 runs or 5 wickets :-) And the most reliable prediction these days? A century by GOD (aka SRT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sujit (sssalunkhe@hotmail.com) It will be interesting to see whether Azzu takes in prasad or retains his trust on Agerker today. Also wether it has finally dawned oon him to send Dravid at no.3 slot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind () Good afternoon Prem! How do you rate Lara in terms of talent, techniqe in comparision with Sachin, ADS, Waugh and others? Prem: Michael Holding is out there with the pitch report, and from what I can see, it looks very hard, just some grass rolled in for binding. Should have lots of runs in it, I would think.

Prem: For those who are asking there is still 10 minutes to fo for start of play.

Mukund Ramadoss (mramadoss@yahoo.com) Prem, It will be good if you allow to resize the window. We are unable to see characters at the end and hence increasing the size will help. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () I think today will be a battle between Ajju and Lara - both with the bat and the head - 'Afternoon Prem -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Huh, against part time spin, its Jaddu who will be king Phaneesh. () Yesterday's match was a real exhibition of what happens due to the rain rules. The SLs had the gut feeling that 15 overs was what they would get. They decided ot go for 118 of them (5 wickets standing) But they couldn't do that. both in runs and wickets. Then they had no other option but to look very silly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mukund R (mramadoss@yahoo.com) What time is it now? How many more minutes? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raj (rajven@ao.com) Did anyone know who won the toss? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PJ (pankajkjain@hotmail,com) Prem, Its 2:50 AM here in PA, What time game would be starting? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arvind (a_singh@hotmail.com) Dravid has got class, strokes, tecnique, footwork, vision, temperament and there is no reason why he can not be successful in ODIs. He just need to mould himself according to the need of the hour. He should be willing to take risk and do some slam bang when the team and conditions demand it. He can learn something from GAVASKER, Vengasarker,Shashtri, Miandad, Malik here. All of them were famous for their solid defence but they were capable to transform into an attacking batsman on the demand of situation. Gavasker would play slow till he score 100 and after that he will start hitting, Malik, Miandad used to switch from defence to attack anytime. Dravid should learn to do the same thing. He should play with catution till he is set and team's condition becomes stable and then he should go slam bang. I think he is capable of doing that after all he is not a strokeless batsman like Gaykawad, Chetan Chauhan but he is technically correct like Gavasker. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Morrison () Prem: Cnn was showing nice weather for the last 10 hrs or so. it said slight rains at 7.00 AM, after that it was cloudy. So, looks like my predictions will come true this time too :-) Prem: Not that this needs special mention -- but if there is one inch of unoccupied space in the Bangabandhu Stadium then I am darned if I can see where it is. Stand by for an eruption of monumental proportions when Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat -- that day, in the game against Australia, they raised the roof when he came down those steps.

Ravi Subramanyan (ravisubra@hotmail.com) Hello Prem and hi everybody! Today's match must be a belter.Sachin and Lara meeting after a long time! Lets find out who wins this time! Prem: Jim:: *grin* You and CNN both! But hey, you could be right on this one -- Robin with his short arm jabs is the right answer to the Windies part time spinners.

Prem: Sriku:: Again, earwitness reports -- reliable ones, from friends in the media who are actually in situ -- is that while it is not the minefield it was yesterday, it is still on the slightly wet side. But the outfield started out being very lush and incredibly fast, if you remember, and given that the sun has been beating down on it all morning, it really shouldn't be a problem.

Prem: Good morning all -- to be accurate, afternoon, since I am on IST. The good news from Dhaka is that as of about 45 minutes ago, I am told it is nice and sunny there, so we should have a full game in today.

Jim Morrison (sinofcity@yahoo.com) Hi Prem and Hello all. Here we go again. Predictions of mine have been at their pathetic worst. Rats. Time for Azza and RR Singh to be the men in that order. This time its for real. God knows. It is a sin. have fun, Jim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sriku (anand@mediaone.net) Hi Prem, Any idea about how the outfield looks like? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra () Prem, it is 2:25 am( New York Time) I do not want to miss single action today. - Dhirendra Prem: Good morning, all. At 1.30 pm IST, India is scheduled to take on t

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